Elizabeth 'Bette' Marie Garwood

ROCHESTER:Elizabeth Bette Garwood, 90, of Rochester, MN, passed away suddenly at St. Marys Hospital on August 31, 2012. She was born to the late John and Nellie Atkinson, Jan. 1, 1922, in Cedar Rapids, IA. Although Bette only had the opportunity to graduate from high school, her extraordinary wit would have made it easy for her to have sparred with anyone from an Ivy League school. She married the love of her life, Robert Garwood, on August 14, 1946, and celebrated 39 years together until his death in 1986. Bette was a homemaker, worked in defense plants during WWII, and worked for over 30 years in retail merchandising until her retirement. Her passion for social justice and world events and compassion for others is known to all in the community and to anyone who had the pleasure to meet her. Her work over the years for the League of Women Voters was tireless. Bette was an active member of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Rochester for over 50 years. Age never slowed her love for swimming, playing bridge with her friends, traveling on bus excursions, reading, watching her favorite BBC programming, viewing American Kennel Club competitions, completing charity work of all kinds, or finding that perfect gift for one of her family members. Bette is survived by her proudest accomplishments in life, her three sons: Robert (Paula) Garwood, of Seattle, WA; Bruce (Vickie) Garwood of West Dundee, IL; and William Garwood of St. Paul, MN. She is also survived by four grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and one step-great-grandchild. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the League of Women Voters or the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Rochester. Visitation will be held at the Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home, 5421 Royal Place NW,Rochester, MN, on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Services will begin at 10 a.m. at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1727 Walden Lane SW in Rochester on Friday, Sept. 7. Burial will be at the Grandview Memorial Cemetery.